Gender issues in society and the healthcare industry have taught me many things that I have never realized before. In this module, we discussed gender differences in religion and culture, gender equality, and unequal power relations.
Issues of gender are mostly based on respecting different personalities and identities. Sex and gender are two different things and we should respect every person regardless of which gender they choose to live by. Sex is a series of biological attributes of humans and animals while gender refers to what a person feels, their behaviors, and socially constructed roles. We may have a male, female, or transgendered person and they all should be treated equally with respect. Just like we respect different cultures and religions we also should be able to respect different choices they make about their lives. Nobody should be ashamed of what they are or be worried if their physical appearance matches with their behavior or personality. Every person has a right to equality and respect and we must not violate other people's rights.
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Gender equality is very important and has to be observed by all people for us to live in a healthy community that has no discrimination. In every part of the world, women have fewer opportunities for high-paying positions or jobs than men, less excess to quality education economic participation, and higher education than men. Women have increased health and safety risk chances and less political representation. Within every country or community and development, gender equality is crucial because it gives men and women a chance to make decisions that have a positive impact on their own sexual and reproductive health as well as that of their spouses and families. Gender equality will be obtained when each and every gender has equal rights, conditions opportunities, and power to rebuild lives and contribute to the development of society. It is a matter of equal distribution of power, influence, resources in society, and job opportunities.
This module also gave me more understanding of gender-based violence. This refers to harmful or unruly behavior and acts directed at people because of their gender. I also had learned that not only females are facing gender-based violence but also LGBTQ people are faced with a high risk of harmful acts from their societies based on culture and religion. GBV is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power, and harmful norms. Gender-based violence is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening protection issue. GBV is mostly promoted by discriminatory cultural beliefs and attitudes that promote inequality and powerlessness against women, girls, and LGBTQ. The outcome is mostly an increase in both the frequency and brutality of gender-based violence.
Culture and social norms are the major factors that promote individual behavior, including the use of violence. Norms sometimes protect against violence but, they can also promote and encourage the use of violence. Overall, the acceptance of domestic violence was higher in South Asia than in any other country. Most of the time culture also promotes gender inequality. In some cultures, like a Zulu culture when a woman gets married they should stay at home, bear children, and take care of them while a man gets to go to work and provide food and basic needs for his family. This culture deprives women of independence and forces them to always depend on a man for everything that requires money as she is not allowed to go to work.
Despite culture and social norms religion is also a major factor that promotes gender inequality. The relationship between religion and gender equality is a very tight one. Religion plays an important role in shaping cultural, social, economic, and political norms in all parts of the world, in addition, organizations and institutions that are based on faith are amongst the largest, most stable, and well-resourced social networks. Some religions mostly promote gender inequality because of how they interpret a Bible book. Everyone has a different understanding when it comes to the bible. The fact that God is mostly referred to as a male give male a godly character, they expect to be cherished and praised all the time. Males always get higher positions in some religions while females get lower positions. In some religions, women are not allowed to stand in the church and preach in the presence of a male because they say a Bible book states that a female should always bow down before a male. This verse in the bible gives men all the power and therefore promotes gender inequality.
Society norms also contribute to gender inequality as some people believe that a female has a specific way to dress which is different from how a female should dress. This puts pressure on females who like to wear trousers as their society believes that a trouser is supposed to be worn by males only. This contributes to gender inequality because everyone should be free to wear whatever they like to wear whenever they want to wear it. Social norms such as that women should always clean the house, cook, and do laundry while men clean the yard also promote gender inequality. A yard does not require to be cleaned every single day while cooking and cleaning the house are everyday chores. This promotes gender inequality as it gives men a right to just chill all day and do nothing while a woman cooks for him, cleans after him, and does his laundry. There are many other social norms that contribute to gender inequality and oppress females.
We all should stand up and fight against gender inequality. Everyone should have an equal chance and opportunity regardless of their gender. Everyone must have equal rights, conditions, opportunities, and respect. Social norms and societies should start respecting all differences in people and give them equal chances.
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